City mourns the deaths of their workers whose lives were taken away by Covid-19.
As the world continues to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, the City of Johannesburg has taken the time to thank all those involved in helping curb the spread of the virus, including workers who have passed away during the pandemic.
MMC for Health and Social Development Eunice Mgcina said, “I wish to convey my special and sincere gratitude to all healthcare professionals throughout the city for their dedication in providing support to our people.”
This comes after the unfortunate news of the passing of two City employees. The City and the Health and Social Development Department are mourning the loss of the Soweto’s Protea Glen Clinic nurse Sister Ntsoaki Senokwanyane who passed away recently after a short illness. According to the City, the late Sister Senokwanyane was a selfless soldier in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic and one of many front-line workers in the healthcare profession who risk their lives in the battle against the novel coronavirus to save others. About 20 City nurses have contracted Covid-19 in the course of duty and Mgcina pleaded with City nurses to remain vigilant and continue playing their part to avoid catching and spreading Covid-19.
The latest Emergency Management Service (EMS) personnel to succumb to Covid-19-related complications was a multi-skilled fire safety inspector who dedicated over 20 years of his life to the City. The senior fire safety officer was reported dead earlier this week after testing positive for coronavirus. MMC for Public Safety Mally Mokoena explained that when the fire safety inspector joined the City, he provided medical, fire and rescue expertise within the operations unit. He later moved to the fire safety code enforcement unit, where he was charged with building compliance, registrations of service stations and the assessment of flammable liquid plans, servicing residents of Soweto and surrounding areas. She noted that the senior official was a diligent fire safety officer, who bridged the skills gap between stations, various districts and regions within the City.
According to the MMC Mokoena, Joburg’s EMS has a record of about 69 positive cases of Covid-19, with 11 recoveries and two fatalities (at the time of publishing). The department she leads has a recorded five Covid-19 related deaths, both from the EMS and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department.
